Energy and Environmental Technology
Sustainable solutions for a green future
With around 1,350 innovative companies and several renowned research institutions, the prospering Greentech location of the Leipzig Region is one of the strongest driving forces in the energy and environmental technology industry.
Given climate change and the necessary action, innovation, and energy turnaround, energy and environmental technology are undoubtedly one of the most vital future industries. In the Leipzig Region, it is one of the most important and fastest-growing sectors of the economy – a place where sustainable companies can grow.
As one of twelve regions designated by the state as a Smart Digital Initiatives Hub (de:Hub), the Leipzig Region’s focus on Energy and Smart City involves an accelerator programme focussing on smart infrastructure, bringing together various regional cluster organisations. In addition, numerous events and innovation formats all play a supporting role in enabling a profitable exchange of ideas.
With facilities such as the Fraunhofer Institutes CSP, IMWS and CBP, the German Biomass Research Centre (DBFZ) or the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), the Leipzig Region’s research landscape also stands up to comparison with other top worldwide locations.
Business and research go hand in hand in the Leipzig Region serving a broad spectrum of future technologies – from renewable energies to novel storage technologies and highly efficient plants to digital solutions – that will shape the lives of generations to come.
Energy and environmental technology businesses in the Leipzig Region
Internationally active companies such as the Gas Trading Group VNG or the European Power Exchange EEX which has grown to become the most important energy trade location in Europe, together employ around 1,700 people in the Leipzig Region. These organisations have long shaped the local energy sector attracting other companies such as Verbio BioFuel and Technology and Energy2market.
Energy and environmental technology business networks in the Leipzig Region
The Network Energy & Environment e.V. (NEU e. V.) is the central network for energy and environmental technology players in the Leipzig Region. It combines the individual expertise of more than 70 members, including large companies, SMEs, research and educational institutions, public administration, associations and committed individuals.
Energy Saxony e.V., the energy cluster for Saxony, brings together decision-makers from industry, science and economic policy to promote the sustainable development and marketing of future cutting-edge technologies in the fields of energy, electromobility and digitalisation.
The HYPOS network (Hydrogen Power Storage & Solutions) is pursuing the establishment of a model region for hydrogen in Germany to accelerate the production, storage, distribution, and widespread use of green hydrogen in the chemical industry, refinery mobility and energy supply.
The BioEconomy Cluster, where partners from industry and research are working on the fundamentals of the material and energetic use of non-food biomass.
The Education and Demonstration Centre for Decentralised Wastewater Treatment (BDZ) is one of the most modern demonstration systems for small wastewater plants in Germany. The manufacturer-neutral, independent platform brings together members from business, science, politics and administration offering training, information events and workshops to companies and research institutions from Germany and abroad.
The RWTec research and innovation network, which consists of companies and research institutions, further develops radio wave technology for the direct heating of a wide variety of materials, in various usable processes and products.
The Biomass Energy Utilisation Network, where more than 650 partners are researching the further practical development of competitive technologies, especially in combustion, gasification and fermentation of biomass. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) funds the development of “Biomass energy use”, ensuring that research results can be implemented even faster in practice. The aim is to accelerate the transfer of technology and innovation for a successful energy system transformation.
Around 10,000 students enjoy an excellent education in relevant STEM subjects at the region’s universities and colleges every year. Moreover, highly qualified specialists can usually be recruited from the rich pool of graduates within one to two months.
The Leipzig Region offers an excellent research landscape for energy and environmental technology. Research institutions of international renown include the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research UFZ, the German Biomass Research Centre DBFZ, the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research iDiv, the Leibniz Institute for Surface Engineering IOM and the three Fraunhofer Institutes CSP, IMWS and CBP located in the centre.
Important industry players such as the Environmental Research Centre (UFZ), the Institute for Applied Informatics (InfAI), the HYPOS Network and the German Biomass Research Centre regularly organise conferences, meetings, symposia, workshops, expert talks and lectures. The specialist events provide an attractive platform for exchanges between leaders in science, business and politics.
Forward-looking sub-sectors
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Renewable energies
Solar and photovoltaic technologies
Wind power technologies
Bioenergy
Geothermal energy -
Digital energy management & energy trading
Energy management
IT security
Virtual power plants
Smart grids -
Storage technologies and energy networks
Electronic and mechanical electricity storage
Battery technology
Hydrogen and fuel technologies (power-to-gas & power-to-heat) -
Energy efficiency
Heating and cooling technology
Lighting technology
Smart home
Smart metering
Smart building technology
Measurement and control technology -
Circular economy
Recycling technologies
Resource management
Material recycling technologies -
Raw material and material efficiency
Sustainable and recyclable plastics production
Paper and pulp production
Chemical processes